DIOR MODELS DISPLAY AUTUMN AND WINTER FASHIONS.




Initials PW/V/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE CHRISTIAN DIOR COLLECTION FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER KEEPS HEMLINES AT THE TOP OF THE KNEE AND REVIVES THE BELTED WAISTLINE AND FIGURE-FITTING SILHOUETTE.

DESIGNER MARC BOHAN CELEBRATES THE TWENTIETH YEAR OF THE HOUSE OF DIOR WITH PROBABLY THE QUIETEST AND MOST WEARABLE COLLECTING EVER PRESENTED IN THE FAMOUS SALON.

THE COLLECTION HAS NO NAME, BUT A STRONG FLAVOUR OF BRITISH REGENCY INFLUENCE PREVAILS IN A STYLISED AND VERY ROMANTIC MOOD. AMONG THE NOTABLE FEATURES ARE CAPES, SHERLOCK HOLMES CAPS, MILITARY COATS, SCHOOLGIRL DRESSES AND BLOUSES WITH HEAVY FRILLS.

SUITS FEATURE SHORT, CLOSE-FITTING JACKETS WITH ROUND COLLARS AND PATCH POCKETS OVER FLARED OR BOX-PLEATED SKIRTS ON THE KNEE. THEY COME IN FLECKED OR SALT-AND-PEPPER TWEEDS.

THE MAJORITY OF TOPCOATS ARE DOUBLE-BREASTED WITH BIG TAILORED COLLARS. CAPES APPEAR FROM DAWN TO MIDNIGHT, PYRAMID-SHAPED AND WITH NARROW CUFFED SLITS FOR THE ARMS.

EVENING DRESSES INCLUDE SHEER CHIFFON, LONG-SLEEVED DANCING DRESSES WITH HEMLINES, SOMETIMES FALLING AS LOW AS THE CALF OR ANKLE.

JEWELRY IN THIS COMPLETE COLLECTION PLAYS UP COPPER AND METAL EAR-RINGS FOR DAYTIME AND SWINGING CHANDELIERS DROPPING TO SHOULDER LENGTH FOR EVENING WEAR.

WIDE BELTS USUALLY WORN AROUND THE HIP-BONE HAVE BUCKLES OF TORTOISESHELL OR TRANSPARENT PLASTIC, AND TRIMMINGS TO MANY OF THE DIOR GOWNS ARE IN VELVET, HEAVY SATIN AND CHANTILLY LACE.